What Is intuition? A deeper knowing within us all

Hardy Patel
Jul 27
3 min read

What Is Intuition? Understanding the Whisper Within

Intuition is often described as a gut feeling, a quiet voice inside, or an unexplainable knowing. It’s that subtle nudge you feel before your mind has had a chance to think. And yet, for something so widely experienced, it can be difficult to define.

So what is intuition, really?

At its core, intuition is inner knowing without the need for reasoning. It’s a direct line to truth—one that doesn’t require logic, evidence, or explanation. It simply knows. And while it may feel mysterious, it’s something we’re all born with. The real journey is learning to trust it.

The River Analogy

Imagine you’re in a small boat on a river. Your thinking mind is the paddle—it helps you navigate, plan, and solve problems. But beneath the surface, there’s a gentle current already guiding you downstream. That’s your intuition.

You can paddle hard in any direction. You can even fight the current. But if you get still—if you stop resisting—you begin to move with the natural flow. You start to feel where life is leading you, not through force, but through alignment.

That’s what intuition feels like. A quiet guidance that already knows the way.

Wisdom from Spiritual Teachers

To deepen this understanding, let’s explore how some beloved spiritual teachers have described intuition:

1. Eckhart Tolle

“Intuition is the intelligence of the body.”Tolle reminds us that intuition isn’t just a mystical idea—it’s a form of embodied wisdom. It lives in our cells, in our nervous system. That’s why we often feel it first—tightness in the chest, a flutter in the gut, or a peaceful knowing that defies logic.

2. Caroline Myss

“Intuition is not a gift, it’s a skill. It’s a spiritual muscle we’re all meant to develop.”Intuition is not reserved for the gifted or psychic—it’s something every single person has. The more we listen to it, the stronger it becomes.

3. Michael A. Singer

“There is a voice inside of you that has always been there. It is the voice of the heart, the voice of intuition, the voice of truth.”Singer reminds us that our inner guidance is not something we need to chase—it’s already present. Beneath the noise of the mind is a presence that gently leads us toward clarity, peace, and alignment with life.

4. Deepak Chopra

“Intuition is a cosmic whisper—an echo of your soul.”Chopra sees intuition as more than just decision-making—it’s a sacred connection to something greater: the soul, Source, the universe itself.

The Mind vs. Intuition

It’s easy to confuse intuition with fear, emotion, or impulse. But here’s how you can begin to tell the difference:

The mind is loud, repetitive, and often anxious. It tries to figure everything out.
Intuition is quiet, neutral, and clear. It doesn’t argue—it simply speaks.

You might notice that intuition feels right even when it doesn’t make sense. It comes as a sudden clarity, a knowing without reason, a sense of “this is the way.”

How to Strengthen Your Intuition

If you want to deepen your connection with your intuition, here are some practices to try:

Get quiet. Intuition arises in stillness. Meditation, breathwork, time in nature, or unplugging from noise helps.
Ask, then listen. Ask yourself a question, then let it go. Stay open and watch for the subtle response.
Feel your body’s response. The body is often the first to know. Pay attention to how a choice feels—tight or expansive, heavy or light.
Reflect on past experiences. Think of a time you “just knew” something. What did it feel like? What happened when you followed it? What happened when you ignored it?